Defending Technology

May 2, 2007 6:22 AM

In a new Edweek Commentary, LFA Summit presenter Henry Kelly argues that the nation is squandering the promise of technology in schools by underinvesting in technology development, teacher training, and other tools that could make educational technologies most effective

Kelley, who is president of the Federation of American Scientists, takes issue with a recent Education Department study arguing that reading and mathematics software produce no better results that conventional instruction. The report's findings reflect an underinvestment in technology development rather than limits to technology's promise in schools, he argues. Unfortunately, the federal government has left technology development to the educational entrepreneurs, who cannot do this work alone: "Developing effective and engaging educational software takes enormous amounts of time and money and involves huge risks. Federal research is essential to design effective instructional software to test innovations to see what works and what doesn't."

To learn more about the Federation of American Scientists' work in educational technology and serious games, click here.